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TMJ treatment: close-up of tooth contacts in the bite

Zaritzki TMJ Treatment

Do you grind your teeth at night? Do you wake with tension in your head, face or neck? Does your jaw feel tight or overloaded in the morning? TMJ symptoms are often diffuse. You feel the pressure in the jaw, the head, the face or the neck, while the actual cause stays unclear for a long time. At Zaritzki Fine Dentistry we do not treat the symptoms alone. We analyze why they arise: in the bite, in the chewing muscles, in the jaw joints, in the position of your teeth, and in your individual patterns of strain. From this comes a clearly guided treatment plan, from a neuromuscularly centered splint to Invisalign^® or reconstructive stabilization, where your bite has to be secured for the long term. The aim is not simply less pain. It is that you feel stable, relaxed and free again.

The Zaritzki Difference Your Benefits The Zaritzki Experience Who it's for How it works FAQ At a Glance

"Headaches, tension or tinnitus can have their origin in the jaw. That is where we look."

View through the archway to the treatment chair, fireplace and checkerboard marble in front, Zaritzki Fine Dentistry on Kurfürstendamm

The Zaritzki Difference

TMJ treatment usually means a splint for the grinding and something for the pain. We begin elsewhere: with the question of why the system of bite, muscles and jaw joints lost its balance. Acute symptoms are relieved quickly. At the same time we examine what is driving them, and the treatment plan follows from what we find. No standard splint. No treating symptoms in isolation. Diagnostics, function and long-term stability as one connected whole.

DIAGNOSTICS
Pain in the head, neck or jaw does not necessarily arise where it is felt. So we look beyond the painful area, at the whole functional system: bite, chewing muscles, jaw joints, tooth position, wear facets and the way you carry strain, above all where the cause has never been found. Functional analysis, bite force measurement, visual diagnostics and 3D imaging are what a lasting treatment rests on.

EXPERTISE
TMJ demands three disciplines that rarely meet in one place: function, orthodontics and reconstructive dentistry. At Zaritzki Fine Dentistry they interlock, from straightforward splint therapy to a complex course of treatment that calls on several specialties at once. Experience decides precisely where a single discipline reaches its limit.

THE SPLINT
A TMJ splint is only as good as the jaw position it is made for. We do not take that position from a template. We measure it: where your chewing muscles actually come to rest, and the splint is made for exactly that point. So it does more than relieve pressure. It guides the jaw into the position where muscles and joints work without tension. Measured individually, made in a master dental laboratory, refined as treatment progresses.

PHASES
Treatment follows a logic, not a template. Depending on the findings, a splint, Invisalign^® or reconstructive stabilization comes next, in the order this particular case requires. Each step follows from the one before.

FUNCTION AND AESTHETICS
Bite, tooth position, wear, facial effect and long-term stability are considered together. TMJ treatment does not correct function alone. It takes into account how the result looks in the face.

Fireplace with logs beneath a framed picture and roses, Zaritzki Fine Dentistry, Berlin

Your Benefits

Noticeable relief from head, facial and neck symptoms, where these are connected to the jaw
A markedly more relaxed jaw and less pressure in everyday life
Chewing, speaking and facial expression feel natural and easy again
Better sleep, as night-time clenching and grinding ease
Results that last, because the treatment addresses your actual cause
Solutions matched to your individual symptoms: no standard splint, no fixed protocol

Calm treatment room with ceiling screen and brushed bronze wall

The Zaritzki Experience

You are not kept waiting. You are expected.
Water in crystal. Coffee in French porcelain.
Your preferences, chosen on the tablet.
Your film, your series, on the ceiling, with language, volume and subtitles as you like them.
Noise-cancelling headphones, so the rest disappears.
In the background, everything is already prepared.
The treatment is so relaxed that it often begins before you even notice.

"Treat only the symptoms instead of the causes, and you have already lost."

Panoramic X-ray to assess the jaw joints and bite

Who is Zaritzki TMJ treatment for?

grind or clench: at night or during the day, consciously or unconsciously.
wake with tension in the jaw, or find the jaw difficult to relax.
have diffuse pain in the head, face or neck.
notice tooth wear or sensitive teeth caused by overload, clenching or unfavorable bite contacts.
feel clicking in the jaw or restricted movement: grinding, locking or limited mouth opening.
already wear a splint but feel no clear improvement, or never received a real diagnosis.
are planning major dental treatment and want to be certain that bite, function and jaw joints are taken into account.
need Invisalign^® or restorations, and want aesthetics planned with function rather than against it.

TMJ treatment in Berlin: functional examination under dental loupes

How your Zaritzki TMJ treatment works

1. Diagnostics and consultation

Our diagnostics are the key to successful TMJ treatment. They show not only where the symptoms occur, but why your chewing system is overloaded.

MEDICAL HISTORY
A detailed record of your symptoms and daily habits, to gain the first indications of possible causes.

FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS
Examination of teeth, gums, jaw and muscles, and of the contact points between them.

VISUAL DIAGNOSTICS
High-resolution photographs and video record your jaw movements, so that the interplay of the teeth can be assessed precisely: at rest, while chewing and while speaking.

BITE FORCE ANALYSIS
Measurement of bite force and analysis of tooth alignment.

3D DIAGNOSTICS
A precise 3D scan and a low-radiation 3D X-ray provide jaw and tooth structures accurate to the millimeter.

2. Individual treatment planning

From the diagnostics comes a clear treatment plan, matched to your symptoms, the cause and the severity of the disorder. Depending on the findings, treatment follows in clear phases:

Phase 1: Acute relief
A neuromuscularly centered TMJ splint
High-precision fabrication in a specialized laboratory
Planned from a functionally determined jaw position
Relief for the muscles and the jaw joints
Protection of the teeth from further overload

Phase 2: Functional stabilization
Where the stable position has to be transferred permanently into the bite, further steps may be appropriate:
- Functional orthodontics with Invisalign^®
- Targeted bite correction
- Stabilization of the neuromuscular position in everyday function

Phase 3: Reconstructive stabilization
With more complex findings, restorative or reconstructive measures may become necessary, for example in cases of:
- Severe tooth wear
- Loss of bite height
- Structural damage to the teeth
- Functional overload of existing restorations

The aim is to bring function, aesthetics and stability together for the long term.

3. Stabilization and final review

After the active phase of treatment, function is examined again. We check:
- Neuromuscular balance
- Movement patterns
- Bite contacts
- Musculature
- Load on the jaw joints
- How the system has adapted to the new function

Where needed, final adjustments follow:
- to the splint
- to the orthodontic corrections
- to the reconstructive work

The aim: a function that feels calmer, more controlled and more natural in everyday life, and that can be kept stable over the long term.

Consultation room with marble table for discussing the functional analysis

FAQ – Your questions about Zaritzki TMJ treatment

What symptoms occur with a TMJ disorder?

Pain: in the jaw joint, the face, the temples, the neck or the shoulders.
Jaw joint sounds: clicking or grinding in the joint.
Limited mouth opening: difficulty opening or closing the mouth, sometimes with locking.
Headaches: frequent tension headaches or migraine-like headaches.
Ear problems: ear pain, tinnitus or dizziness.
Grinding and clenching: pressing or rubbing the teeth together, often unconsciously and during sleep.
Muscle tension: hardened or painful muscles in the jaw, throat, neck and back.
Damage to the teeth: grinding and clenching can lead to tooth wear, damage to fillings and shifting of the teeth.

What treatment options are there for a TMJ disorder?

Treatment of a temporomandibular disorder depends on the diagnosis, the symptoms and the severity.

Behavioral changes: stress management, relaxation exercises, avoiding hard foods, reducing grinding and clenching.

Splints: individually fitted bite splints relieve the joints, protect against the consequences of bruxism and relax the muscles.

Bite corrections: orthodontic treatment such as Invisalign^® corrects misalignment and stabilizes the bite.

Physiotherapy: massage, stretching exercises and heat or cold applications release tension and relieve pain.

Medication: painkillers, muscle relaxants or anti-inflammatories where needed.

Behavioral therapy: helps to change bruxism and other straining habits lastingly.

How long does treatment take?

Depending on the starting situation and the therapy, between two weeks and two years.

What does treatment cost?

From 2,500 euros. Where there is a medical indication, private health insurers cover the cost in full or in part, depending on the policy. Costs are calculated according to the work involved; we prepare a cost estimate after the consultation.

When is a neuromuscularly centered TMJ splint particularly suitable?

Bite problems: when the teeth do not meet correctly, a TMJ splint can help stabilize the bite and relieve the jaw joints.

Bruxism: if you grind your teeth, a TMJ splint can help minimize the effect of the grinding on the teeth and the jaw joints.

Jaw joint pain: the splint can help relieve this pain by taking load off the joints and bringing the jaw into a more stable position.

Tooth wear: the splint can help protect the teeth from excessive wear.

Tense chewing muscles: a TMJ splint can relax the muscles and help relieve tension and pain in them.

Stress-related TMJ: stress can be a cause of a TMJ disorder. Where stress factors play a role, the splint can help soften the effect of stress on the jaw joints and the muscles.

When is TMJ treatment with Invisalign^® suitable?

TMJ treatment with Invisalign^® is particularly suitable where the disorder is connected to misaligned teeth or bite problems.

MISALIGNED TEETH
Invisalign^® corrects overbite, underbite or shifted teeth discreetly, with clear aligners.

BITE PROBLEMS
Stabilizes the bite and relieves the jaw joints.

PAIN RELIEF
Reduces symptoms through improved bite guidance.

ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT
Ideal for patients who want to combine TMJ treatment with orthodontic correction.

INDIVIDUAL PLANNING
Invisalign^® allows treatment tailored to specific needs.

When is a combination of TMJ splint, Invisalign^® and prosthetic reconstruction particularly suitable?

The three-phase TMJ treatment we established is ideal for complex cases with misaligned teeth that are best corrected by prosthetic means. By straightening the teeth with Invisalign^® first, we make certain that treatment remains minimally invasive, or even non-invasive. Once the teeth are correctly aligned, little or no reduction of tooth structure is required in the following steps to complete the prosthetic restoration.

Misalignment and tooth loss: some patients have both. Invisalign^® can help correct the misalignment and stabilize the bite, while prosthetic work such as crowns or bridges replaces the missing teeth.

Additional protection for the teeth: Invisalign^® can be used to correct misalignment and stabilize the bite. At the same time, prosthetic work can help protect the teeth from further wear or damage, particularly where the patient grinds or clenches.

Aesthetic improvement: in some cases a TMJ disorder leads to aesthetic problems that go beyond misalignment. The combination of Invisalign^® and prosthetic work can help improve the appearance of the smile.

Complex cases: for patients with both bite problems and misalignment or tooth loss, combination therapy can offer a comprehensive solution.

Jaw joint problems: where the disorder involves the joint itself, such as a displaced disc, the splint can help relieve the joints while Invisalign^® corrects the bite problems.

Misaligned teeth: Invisalign^® can help correct the misalignment, while the TMJ splint helps stabilize the bite and relieve the jaw joints.

Tooth loss: where patients have lost teeth as a result of the condition, reconstruction with implants, bridges or dentures can replace them and restore chewing function.

What supporting measures can be used alongside any treatment option?

Physiotherapy
Behavioral changes
Stress management
Botulinum toxin (injected into the chewing muscles)
Medication

Is surgery useful for a TMJ disorder?

In our experience, the large majority of recommendations for surgery have been avoided through minimally invasive methods and treated successfully to completion.

Are bite splints uncomfortable?

No. Comfort is not only important, it is a reliable sign that the splint has been fitted correctly. That depends on the fabrication process, which requires specific diagnostic procedures and expertise. For this reason TMJ splints at Zaritzki Fine Dentistry are made and fitted individually, from the neuromuscular centric position.

Why is the neuromuscular centric position so important?

The neuromuscular centric position describes the optimal position of the lower jaw in relation to the upper jaw, in which teeth, jaw joints and muscles work together in harmony.

Function: it provides a stable bite and correct jaw movement.

Pain relief: it reduces symptoms such as jaw, head or neck pain.

Prevention: it prevents overloading of the jaw joints and muscles.

Long-term health: it supports the function and stability of the jaw, prevents dysfunction and promotes long-term dental health.

The Zaritzki Standard

Well-founded expertise in functional therapy
Precise in-depth diagnostics with modern technology
Tailored treatment concepts for lasting results
High specialist competence through TMJ specialists

Salon with white bouclé sofas and a rosé Murano glass chandelier, Zaritzki Fine Dentistry on Kurfürstendamm

Pain

The diagnostics are painless. The splint is fitted without any reduction of the teeth and, after a short period of adjustment, is usually experienced as comfortable in everyday life.

How long the results last

Stability depends on the findings and on your cooperation: a splint works for as long as it is worn. Where the bite is corrected permanently in phase 2 or 3, the result can remain stable over the long term. Regular functional reviews secure it.

Price

Billed in accordance with the German dental fee schedule (GOZ). Reimbursable by private insurers where there is a medical indication, depending on the policy.

During the Treatment

Entertainment
Your series, your film on the ceiling display, noise-cancelling headphones. You lose your sense of time. Not your sense of control.
Comfort
A spa lounger, quiet sound, the faintest trace of scent, and a room that shuts out everything except the result.
Service
The team is there before you ask. Greeted by name, your coat taken, everything ready. Attention you never have to request.